Heritage Ministries Honors Employees

July 14, 2013

Heritage Ministries recently hosted its annual Employee Recognition Dinner at the Girl Scout Council in Jamestown. This year's event honored 94 Heritage employees for a total of 905 years of service to this nonprofit, human service ministry organization. The evening's presentation recognized these individuals along with the 2012 employees of the year, and recent retirees. Also announced were the 2013 recipients of three awards: the Mary Lou Clark Outstanding Customer Service Award, the Rev. LeRoy L. Lundgren Servant Leadership Award and the Walter S. Fleming Chairman's Award.

Paula Cardone, winner of the Mary Lou Clark Outstanding Service Award, is joined by Mary Lou Clark and David Smeltzer.

Submitted photo

Marcia Howe, recipient of the Walter A. Fleming Chairman’s Award, is congratulated by David Smeltzer.

Submitted photo

"Residents, families, vendors and other employees all receive kind, compassionate responses as she strives daily to assure that our residents receive hope, dignity and a purpose for living," the nomination read. "She is a valuable asset to our family at Heritage Park."

"Through the years, Paula has provided support to Heritage in a variety of different roles," said David Smeltzer, executive director for Heritage Ministries Management Company. "In each of the roles the one constant has been her commitment to provide excellent customer service to our residents, their family members and her co-workers. Because she is so good at what she does, she is a critical resource in the training process of new nurses and nurse aides at Heritage Park."

The Rev. LeRoy L. Lundgren Servant Leadership Award was presented to Doug Justham, director of development and Senior Housing Team leader for Heritage Ministries. In the nominations submitted by his co-workers, it was noted that Justham is always nice to everyone and looking at the most positive side to every situation.

"Doug has made it his mission to help others not only at work, but in the community, and fits every aspect of Heritage Ministries' core values," the nomination read.

"Doug is one of those guys who just does whatever it takes, whether it's his job or not," Smeltzer said. "While he is the leader of our Senior Housing team, he will jump right in to hang pictures for a new resident or run to the store to pick up supplies. He not only goes above and beyond for Heritage, he is actively involved in the community serving on the board of St. Susan Center and volunteering as a member of the Celoron Fire Department. Doug is truly a servant leader."

The Walter S. Fleming Chairman's Award was presented to Marcia Howe, Resident Services manager for Heritage Village Retirement Campus (Gerry). Howe is the third recipient of this award, which was established in 2011 to honor Fleming, who retired from serving 19 years on the Heritage board.

"Marcia is a wonderful asset to Heritage Village Retirement campus," nominations read. "She has developed long-lasting relationships with residents and their families and is the 'go to' person for many needs. Marcia always has the resident's best interest at heart and constantly thinks outside the box. She is a humble employee who does not invite recognition."

"Marcia embodies the mission, vision, and core values of Heritage," Smeltzer said. "She is committed to serving the residents of Heritage Village Retirement campus and does so with compassion. Whether it is someone to check on them when they return from a hospitalization or just someone to retrieve their mail, Marcia is always there. While her duties have changed through the years, her care and concern for those she serves have always been evident."

For more information regarding career opportunities with Heritage Ministries, call Laura Blake, Human Resource director, at 487-6872 or visit www.heritage1886.org. There are immediate career opportunities currently available for certified nursing assistants and registered nurses.

The following is a list of employees who were honored for their years of service: